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I dont believe people were made in isolation. I believe that humans were designed as part of a whole... Alone time is essential... However I believe essenially we are made as social beings... Interaction is needed... Overall, Scale wise, I dont think you'l go past a 7 in isolation
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I knew a man once who could not be happy unless he had someone to share things with.He commited suicide.I guess it's an idea that is pretty widespread really but I think true happiness must be found within ourselves first before we can share anything worthwhile with others.It has to start with us alone.We come in the world alone and for sure we leave it that way.The writer Henri Nouwen in his book Going Within has a section on the movement from loneliness to solitude. He sees it as an essential if our spirits are to be strong and healthy and says it is fundemental to spiritual growth. In exploring the real nature of our loneliness we are able to transform it and awaken to something deeper. I guess we have to admit our loneliness first, everybody experiences it, and go deeper with it rather than just finding fault with it and complaining about it or worse still pretending it's not there and that our life is fun when really it's hellish . Henri Nouwen goes on to write about transforming hostility into hospitality which I think comes out of learning how to deal effectively with our loneliness. Loneliness is not a happy state but we can learn what to do with it .It's a serious issue and a really good question to bring up on soulpancake i think .Thanks for it, Dewberry. On the relationship issue ; there are lots of lonely people in relationships and in marriages. Lots of us are disappointed that being in love can be such a lonely place.There is nothing to be done except learn what it's all about and do the work!
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Everyone needs to have some time set aside where they can get away from people and recharge the batteries so to speak, but i dont think that people can be a fully content and complete person in solitude. one of the funamenal connections i see between people is that regardless of background or creed, people have an innate desire to be in relationship with people around them
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If you meant this question as being without a partner, then yes you can be happy without one. If you were asking if you can be happy completely alone cut off from human contact, then no I think it is impossible to be happy completely alone. It is natural to be with people in life and to find happiness through different activities that involve other people. It doesn't mean you are not happy with yourself and that you need people to survive, I believe that happiness truly comes from the people you love and the people who add something more to your life!
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I am so busy on some days that when I get a chance to be alone I so much treasure it. Sometimes I am happiest when alone.
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I understand this question as : is it possible to be without a partner and still be happy? Is this how you meant it? If so, then I think one should be happy BEFORE meeting a partner.
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Personally, I think that if when you leave your friends, you cannot carry that happiness with you and apply it to everything you are and everything you do when you are alone what's the point? I think people are naturally social beings who need and crave social interaction. But, I think it's part of life to learn how to make yourself happy instead of constantly putting that happiness in the hands of other people. Without a doubt, people enhance your happiness but you should be able to enhance theirs as well. Then again, I don't really know if everyone is capable of being happy and alone. It definitely takes lots of practice, skill, and self awareness. It can also been a strength or a weakness. A strength in that you can be content on your on and don't neccesarily rely on anyone else to bring you up. A weakness in that you wont need to interact with others and perhaps wont feel a desire to because you know you can be content on your own. Recently, I found myself thinking about this same question. It's a great question. Still not sure what I think but I've got a rough idea.
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Happiness is not determined by other people. Well, it doesn't have to be. But it can be.
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